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A police investigation at a Winnipeg rooming house has been linked to Project Devote, a Manitoba task force looking into unsolved historical homicides and missing person cases in which foul play is suspected.

Each of the cases, some dating back to 1961, involves a victim of high or extremely high risk due to lifestyle. Almost all of the cases involve women.

"This particular investigation that we're working on falls under the mandate of Project Devote, so it'd be one of the persons that are under their carriage," RCMP Cpl. Miles Hiebert told CBC News.

The investigation is related to "a criminal offence that occurred in the province of Manitoba," according to a news release.

Hiebert said family members of at least one Project Devote victim have been notified of the current investigation.

Earlier Thursday, the home's caretaker told CBC News that officers have carried a number of boxes and plastic bags out of the basement. Police have said very little about what they are looking for at the house.

"One makes a leap, a conjecture, that because [police are] spending so much time in that house, they suspect that a murder may have taken place in there," said Sel Burrows, a neighbourhood activist.

Burrows, who is also on the board of the Point Douglas Neighbourhood Association, said at least three sex trade workers lived in the rooming house up until six months ago. It has been vacant since then.

Slain B.C. woman lived at house

Sources told CBC News that a woman who was recently found dead in British Columbia had previously lived at the Lorne Avenue rooming house with her husband, who has been charged in connection with her death.

Jennifer McPherson, 41, was most recently living on Hanson Island, B.C., and was reported missing by her family on May 1.

Jennifer McPherson, 41, was reported missing by her family on May 1. (RCMP)